Acquisitions Department

BIBLIOGRAPHIC SEARCHING PROCEDURES

Notation system:

1. Record searching activity as each step is completed.  Do not rely on memory to make notations later.
2. Symbols:
1. Check mark: found
2. Zero: not found
3. Hyphen: used between volume numbers or dates means an uninterrupted series of whole volumes or years, e.g. 1974-78 = five continuous years
4. Diagonal: used between volume numbers or dates means multiple volumes bound together or a year which is not a calendar year, e.g. 1984/85 = one volume that covers parts of two years
5. Plus: precedes OCLC cataloging copy produced by LC
6. Minus: precedes OCLC cataloging copy produced by member library
7. A&T: author and title indexes searched
8. "None": publisher's catalog unavailable
3. Order of notation from bottom upwards: author, title, imprint.
4. Abbreviations: use only ones on list in Information Manual
5. Recording notations [Note: oc-at = online catalog, author & title indexes;  O = not found;  √ = found]:

	O
	O a&t
Main entry not found:	oc-at
	O
	√ a&t
Main entry found, different title:	oc-at
	√
	√
	√
Main entry found, same title, same edition:	oc-at
	O Gale, 1990
	√
	√
Main entry found, same title, different edition:	oc-at

Send questions/comments/suggestions to Foster Bunday

Acquisitions Department | The University of Memphis | University Libraries
126 Ned R. McWherter Library | Memphis, TN 38152-3250

Phone: (901) 678-2203 | Fax: (901) 678-8218